(IN): Jumbo reserves: Orissa govt dumps plan

[Guest guest]

Link: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070024164

 

Jumbo reserves: Orissa govt dumps plan

 

Sampad Mahapatra, Jay Mazoomdaar

Tuesday, August 28, 2007 (Bhubaneswar)

Two years ago, the Orissa government was all for elephants. Now, two years

after the Centre cleared their proposals for two new elephant reserves, the

state government has mysteriously changed its mind.

 

Not surprisingly, the Centre is puzzled. The Union Ministry of Environment

and Forests has written to the state:

 

''The sudden decision of the state government to not notify the elephant

reserve is puzzling. In case the state governments feels that any further

rationalization of boundaries of the proposed elephant reserve is required,

the Centre can consider the same but to drop the declaration of elephant

reserve altogether may not be appropriate.''

 

The proposed reserves would have provided a safer habitat for nearly 700

elephants. But it seems the Orissa government's priorities have changed.

 

''If you add those areas, 25 per cent of the state's geographic area will be

reserved for one animal and that will eventually mean displacement of

thousands of villagers. Elephants suffer due to mining but here we would be

displacing farmers and tribals,'' said Hrishikesh Panda, Outgoing Forests

Secretary, Orissa.

 

But the experts in Delhi aren't buying this argument and suggest other

reasons.

 

''There is no question of displacement due to elephant reserve. We need to

understand the legal implications,'' said A N Prasad, IGF and Chief, Project

Elephant.

 

''They are trying to cover up the real intention. It's quite public now that

the Orissa forest dept is totally controlled by mining and industries lobby.

We badly need elephant reserves to control unregulated mining that leads to

man-elephant conflict,'' said Biswajit Mohanty, Wildlife Expert.

 

''Yes, there is disturbance due to mining. I am not disputing that. Now

whether mining will be reduced, it is a bigger question. But I don't see how

declaring an elephant reserve will stop mining? You can't prevent mining

anyway. Can you?'' said Hrishikesh Panda, Outgoing Forests Secretary,

Orissa.

 

With much of their habitat lost to encroachment and mining, elephants in

Orissa need urgent protection and space.

 

With the Centre stepping in, the state may now be forced to show some

political will.

 

 

--

Fight captive Jumbo abuse, end Elephant Polo

http://www.stopelephantpolo.com